Remember how Clay Matthews wasn’t happy about moving to inside linebacker last season?
Matthews had to get those sacks, you know, and you can’t get those sacks playing inside linebacker!
Except that Matthews had more sacks in the eight games he played inside than he did in the eight he played outside. In fact, his overall statistics improved dramatically. What, through eight games looked like a garbage season statistically, turned into a Pro Bowl one.
Despite that, we’re pretty sure Matthews still wants to play outside linebacker.
Whether it’s toeing the company line or he’s actually come to the realization that he can affect the game in more ways from his new position, Matthews gave the gung-ho, team-first answer about it on Thursday.
“Am I happy about it? Yeah, of course. I think you saw our team and our defense, how well we did the second half of the season and how well we improved — run, pass, win column, everything down the board, as well as my personal statistics,” said Matthews.
Yes, personal statistics are definitely key here.
It would be sad to think that that’s what sold Clay on the move inside, if he is indeed sold on the move inside. Let’s face it though. That probably is what sold Clay on the move inside, if he’s sold.
It’s hard to ignore the evidence. We noticed it, so clearly a stats guy is going to notice it.
Through eight games in 2014, Matthews had 19 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
Dogshit.
In the final eight, he had 42 tackles and 8.5 sacks.
Pretty much a 180.
So, yeah. Let’s play some inside backer!